Winter Mantel

It sure has been a while! What’s everyone been up to? I’ve been spending this winter huddled up in the house trying to stay warm. If I didn’t have to pick the kids up from school and take them to activities, I swear that I wouldn’t leave the house. Until April. Why can’t people hibernate??

I’m not really sure why I haven’t blogged in months. I’ve had plenty to blog about. But I always feel like I need to have a finished project to show you. And in so many cases, I never feel like a project is quite finished. There’s always one more detail that I need to add – that one last accessory that would make it look perfect. Anyone else like that with their homes? Someone will compliment a room I’ve been working on, and I respond with – thanks, but I still need to do this, this, and that… ugh.

I’ve been wanting to update my home tour pictures, but I can NOT seem to be satisfied with the throw pillow combinations on the couches. I repainted the office floors, and would love to show you, but I can’t find the perfect area rug for the space. I love the wall of trays in my entry, but I can’t get the baskets on the shelves in front to look quite right. This list goes on and on.

I don’t keep up with as many blogs as I used to, but what’s funny is that the ones I still read regularly aren’t blogs with beautiful photos of finished projects every day. (Actually most of them aren’t even DIY blogs!) The blogs that I go back to most are the ones that draw me into their process and into their stories. So maybe some of you are like that too? Do you expect pin-worthy pics with every post? Or do you also like to read a bit of what’s going on behind the scenes, and are satisfied with the maybe-not-quite-there-yet pics? I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions!!!

SO…. with that being said….

I’m actually satisfied with my mantel right now, and there’s not one thing that I feel like I need to add or change. lol!!!! (I feel like the last few paragraphs sounded like a disclaimer about my living room! But it’s the one space that I’ve moved on from and won’t be changing until spring! (With the exception of the dreaded throw pillows. gah!))

The winter mantel. My mantel has 4 seasons. Spring/summer (there might be tiny changes during the summer months), fall, Christmas, and winter. Usually, it takes me the entire season until I’m finally happy with how it looks. So obviously, decorating for Valentine’s, Easter, 4th of July, etc. doesn’t happen. I know my limitations!

This year I went a tad overboard on fall and Christmas mantel decorations (guess why I didn’t share pics?), and wanted something soft and quiet until spring.

I was at a beautiful friend’s gorgeous home last year, and fell in love with a driftwood mirror that she found at Marshall’s. I totally wanted it, and immediately stalked 3 different Marshall’s to no avail. A month later I was at Marshall’s with my sister and came across this wreath!!! Couldn’t believe my luck!!!
I bought these berry branches at Christmas, but I thought they could pass for winter branches, and not look too Christmas-y. I like the color that they add – and the sparkle is nice too!

The candlesticks are new – I found them at Tuesday Morning. I’ve been wanting big candlesticks forEVER. These were so reasonably priced, and were the right color so I scooped them up. You’ll probably be seeing a lot of them, even on my other-season-mantels. They’re so nice and neutral and TALL!
Here’s a look at it all together…
You might have noticed the new chairs. I needed to replace the small black and white ones that I moved to the office. I would have loved 2 pretty upholstered chairs, but I hated to spend lots of $ and worry about the kids sitting on them with food, or markers, or general kid dirt. I can easily replace or recover the cushions on these. And when my kids are done making messes (does that ever happen?), the chairs will look great on the porch!
I also added curtain panels to the windows. I seem to have a thing for black and white check. I missed it in this space when I moved the chairs out. I just realized that I have b/w check (different sizes) in every other room on the first floor!

I love this shot from the dining room (I think because I love that old screen and basket of hydrangeas in front of it so much!)…
Thanks for listening to my ramblings! Hope to hear from you…

I think your room looks wonderful! Especially love the fireplace “screen”. You found some great chairs too. No, I don’t think you should wait till your room is “perfect”. So many people don’t know how to make it “perfect” and get frustrated reading about it. I like to read blogs that show how they come about the “look”. And maybe pics along the way! You’re doing great!

Looks wonderful Brenda! So fresh and clean! Absolutely love the curtains..I may be a little obsessed with checked items right now too! Also, I think that it is important to show any stage of your home. Most people can relate with unfinished spaces. MOST of us out in the real world can’t do a total makeover to a room or have top of the line items in our home. I love seeing the process and I say “show us your process girl! ” Would love to see your finished floors without a rug and a post on why you are having trouble picking the throw pillows! I am right there with you and always love to see what you are up to. xoxo

Go J! Great picture!! I’m still on the fence about the tank, though. Sorry. I’m “torn.”Work…exhausted. Skipped today. Sucks because OHS are the bane of my existence. I need to practice those more than anything.Alas, no V neck for V today. Miss you guys.

celebrate good times, come on!that rocks, angela…congratulations. we’re still going the round with our 3.5 y.o. son. he can stay dry, but just won’t go poops.poo.hooray for taking advantage of sick time to get it done =]

I am doing my PhD on circadian rhythms in Mastigias of Palau at UCMerced. I am currently looking for papers that have basal metazoan circadian homologs. Let me know if you find any good ones. I am looking everywhere.Thanks,Aubrie

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Hi Brenda. I found you at The Little Cottage on the Pond, and I’m now following your lovely blog. I’m a cottage lover and your cottage is adorable. I’m so glad I found you. Your mantel is so charming. In fact, I love your entire living room. It would be great if you’d come and share it at my monthly blog party Every Room In The House. This month we’re partying in The Living Room, and I know your post would be a wonderful inspiration to all of us. Here’s the link:http://www.ajoyfulcottage.com/2014/02/every-room-in-house-party-2.html
I hope you’ll come. ~ Nancy

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